Practicing Medicine // Complete

Chapter Four: The Loony Bin

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HOLLOWTAPE LOADED: "THE-LOONEY-BIN"

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> STATUS

Battery Level: 57%

Wireless Signal: (?)

Operating Temperature: 93F

> HEALTH

BP: 120/90

SPO2: 100%

Temp: 98.5F

RR: 14

HR: 75

> TIME

Day: 23 SEP. 2279

Time: 22:12

> CLIMATE

Current Temperature: 72F

Atmospheric Pressure: 753 mm

Background Radiation: 0.431 RAD

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It was well past my usual bedtime. 10:12 PM, when I translated the clock from military time, and the sun had already set. The sky was too cloudy to see any stars, of course; Even the brilliant light of the moon couldn't quite make it through. I was tired, both because I was used to a more structured schedule, and because it had been an exhausting day. So much had happened at this point that I wasn't really in a frame of mind to care about one more piece of work.

Gram had suggested I do something to introduce myself to my new friends before we hit the hay, so I decided to do what I was best at- general assessment! I'd do a head-to-toe examination of each of them. That way, I'd be getting to know each of them in a real literal way, and it gave me an excuse to set up some pip-boy profiles. The Pip Boy makes a great assessment tool, assuming you got the patient in the database already.

I looked over each of my patients, then back at my device. 57% battery charge ... creating new profiles always took a lot of battery power, but I knew it would hold for the night. If worse came to worst, I could charge it up a little with the glowing energy cell that I always kept in my breast pocket.

I was about ready to perform now, with this makeshift examination room as my stage. It was little more than an abandoned shack that we'd used as a goal post while hiking, and eventually decided to camp by; we'd all be sleeping in nice orange tents. I had used the rickety shelves to set up equipment that I'd need, and propped up an old 3-legged chair against the wall for the patient to sit in. The ranger, who I'd learned was named Tandi, had loaned me a tactical flashlight to provide lighting. Or, I suspected, Gram had made them lend me the flashlight. I'd also commandeered the cart's radio to get some appropriate music going.

Now, it wasn't much, but I was grateful for it, because the shed offered privacy. I'd seen firsthand what kind of compromising information could be revealed during this sort of assessment. Forget the eyes, it turns out that STDs are the real window into the soul.

"Alright folks, looks like we're all set up! Cook, why don't you come up first?" I suggested, motioning for her to come on forward. She smiled.

"Cool! I actually have a few things that I want an explanation for."